Overview
- PlayStation told staff on Tuesday that it has ceased development of Fairgames after a large-scale playtest with thousands of participants failed to meet internal feedback and retention targets.
- A company spokesperson confirmed there will be no layoffs and that Montreal’s Haven Studios will remain open and shift to supporting other PlayStation Studios teams.
- Fairgames was first revealed in 2023 and went through multiple reworks during a prolonged and troubled development run that included the 2025 departure of founder Jade Raymond.
- An internal memo from executives Sean Decker and John Doyle said the test showed strong operational readiness and community engagement but that player feedback and retention were mixed and below goals.
- The cancelation adds to a string of PlayStation live-service setbacks and is likely to tighten scrutiny of future PvP and live-service investments across PlayStation’s first-party slate.